A UE performs a cell activation process in a wireless network. The UE calculates a first automatic gain control (AGC) setting based on downlink signals from a base station. The downlink signals include a coarse beam reference signal, a fine beam reference signal, and a conversion indication that indicates a power conversion between the coarse beam reference signal and the fine beam reference signal. The UE further calculates a second AGC setting based on the first AGC setting and the conversion indication. The UE performs a cell search using one of the first AGC setting and the second AGC setting, and performs fine time-frequency tracking using the other of the first AGC setting and the second AGC setting.
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2. The method of claim 1, wherein the conversion indication indicates an offset in power between the coarse beam reference signal and the fine beam reference signal.
This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically to methods for managing beamforming in millimeter-wave (mmWave) or other high-frequency wireless networks. The problem addressed is the need for precise alignment between coarse and fine beam reference signals to ensure accurate beamforming and reliable communication links. In such systems, beamforming relies on reference signals transmitted in both coarse and fine beams to establish and maintain directional communication links. However, misalignment between these signals can lead to signal degradation, reduced data rates, or dropped connections. The invention describes a method for converting a coarse beam reference signal into a fine beam reference signal, where the conversion includes an offset in power between the two signals. This power offset compensates for differences in signal strength or propagation characteristics between the coarse and fine beams, ensuring that the fine beam reference signal accurately reflects the intended transmission parameters. The method may involve adjusting the power level of the fine beam reference signal relative to the coarse beam reference signal based on predefined criteria, such as signal quality metrics or environmental conditions. By incorporating this power offset, the system can maintain optimal beam alignment and improve communication reliability in high-frequency wireless networks. The technique is particularly useful in scenarios where beamforming accuracy is critical, such as in 5G mmWave communications or other advanced wireless systems.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the conversion indication indicates a ratio in power between the coarse beam reference signal and the fine beam reference signal.
The invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically to methods for managing beamforming in millimeter-wave (mmWave) or other high-frequency wireless networks. The problem addressed is the efficient conversion between coarse and fine beam reference signals to optimize signal quality and reduce interference in directional communication links. The method involves generating a conversion indication that specifies a power ratio between a coarse beam reference signal and a fine beam reference signal. The coarse beam reference signal is used for initial beam alignment, providing a broad directional signal to establish a communication link. The fine beam reference signal refines this alignment, offering higher precision for data transmission. The conversion indication dynamically adjusts the power ratio to balance signal strength and interference, ensuring optimal performance under varying channel conditions. The method may also include transmitting the conversion indication to a receiving device, which then adjusts its beamforming parameters accordingly. This ensures both devices maintain synchronized beam alignment, improving link reliability. The power ratio can be determined based on factors such as signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), path loss, or interference levels, allowing adaptive optimization of beamforming efficiency. The technique is particularly useful in environments where rapid changes in signal conditions occur, such as in mobile or high-mobility scenarios.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the conversion indication indicates a quasi-colocation (QCL) type with respect to an average resource element (RE) power of the coarse beam reference signal and the fine beam reference signal.
This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically improving beam management in millimeter-wave (mmWave) or high-frequency communications. The problem addressed is the need for efficient and accurate beam tracking and synchronization between a base station and a user device, particularly when switching between coarse and fine beam reference signals. Coarse beams provide broader coverage but lower precision, while fine beams offer higher precision but require more frequent updates. The invention describes a method for converting between coarse and fine beam reference signals in a wireless communication system. A conversion indication is generated to facilitate this transition, where the indication specifies a quasi-colocation (QCL) type. QCL ensures that certain channel properties, such as Doppler shift, delay spread, or average power, are similar between the signals. The QCL type is defined with respect to the average resource element (RE) power of both the coarse and fine beam reference signals, ensuring consistent power levels during the conversion. This helps maintain signal integrity and reduces the need for additional measurements or overhead. The method may also include transmitting the conversion indication to a user device, allowing it to adjust its beamforming parameters accordingly. By leveraging QCL, the system minimizes disruptions during beam switching, improving overall communication reliability and efficiency in high-frequency environments.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the coarse beam reference signal is a synchronization signal block (SSB), and the fine beam reference signal is a temporary reference signal transmitted at least during the cell activation process.
This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically beam management in millimeter-wave (mmWave) networks. The problem addressed is the need for efficient beam alignment between a base station and a user device to maintain high-quality communication links in environments with high path loss and signal blockage. The method involves using two types of reference signals for beam tracking: a coarse beam reference signal and a fine beam reference signal. The coarse beam reference signal is a synchronization signal block (SSB), which is periodically transmitted to help the user device identify the best coarse beam direction. The fine beam reference signal is a temporary reference signal transmitted at least during the cell activation process to refine the beam alignment further. This two-step approach ensures robust beam tracking by first establishing a broad beam connection and then fine-tuning it for optimal performance. The method improves beam management efficiency, reducing overhead and latency while maintaining reliable communication links in dynamic environments.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the coarse beam reference signal is an SSB, and the fine beam reference signal is a tracking reference signal (TRS) or a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS).
This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically to beam management techniques for improving signal accuracy and reliability in millimeter-wave (mmWave) or high-frequency communications. The problem addressed is the challenge of accurately aligning narrow beams between a transmitter and receiver in environments with high path loss and signal blockage, where precise beam alignment is critical for maintaining stable communication links. The invention describes a method for beam management that uses two types of reference signals: a coarse beam reference signal and a fine beam reference signal. The coarse beam reference signal is a Synchronization Signal Block (SSB), which is used for initial beam alignment and synchronization between the transmitter and receiver. The SSB provides a broad beam that helps establish a rough alignment, allowing the receiver to identify the general direction of the transmitter. After coarse alignment, the method employs a fine beam reference signal, which can be either a Tracking Reference Signal (TRS) or a Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS). These signals are used for fine-tuning the beam alignment, refining the direction and focus of the beam to optimize signal quality. The TRS is used for tracking beam changes due to mobility or environmental factors, while the CSI-RS is used for channel estimation and further beam refinement. By combining these two types of reference signals, the method ensures robust and precise beam alignment, improving communication reliability in high-frequency wireless systems. The approach is particularly useful in 5G and beyond-5G networks where mmWave frequencies are employed.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the coarse beam reference signal has a longer periodicity than the fine beam reference signal during the cell activation process.
This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically to methods for managing reference signals during cell activation to improve beam alignment and reduce signaling overhead. The problem addressed is the inefficiency in existing systems where reference signals are transmitted with uniform periodicity, leading to unnecessary resource consumption or suboptimal beam tracking. The method involves using two types of reference signals: a coarse beam reference signal and a fine beam reference signal. The coarse beam reference signal is transmitted with a longer periodicity compared to the fine beam reference signal during the cell activation process. This approach allows for broader initial beam sweeping to identify potential beam directions, followed by more frequent fine adjustments to refine alignment. The coarse beam reference signal helps establish a rough alignment quickly, while the fine beam reference signal ensures precise synchronization. By dynamically adjusting the periodicity of these signals, the system optimizes resource usage and reduces latency in beam tracking. This method is particularly useful in millimeter-wave (mmWave) and other high-frequency communication systems where beam alignment is critical for maintaining reliable connections. The invention improves efficiency by minimizing redundant transmissions while ensuring accurate beam alignment during cell activation.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the conversion indication indicates an offset or a ratio in power between the coarse beam reference signal and the fine beam reference signal.
The invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically to apparatuses for managing beamforming in millimeter-wave (mmWave) or other high-frequency wireless networks. The problem addressed is the need for precise alignment and calibration between coarse and fine beam reference signals to ensure accurate beamforming and reliable communication links. The apparatus includes a transceiver configured to transmit and receive signals using beamforming techniques. It generates a coarse beam reference signal and a fine beam reference signal, which are used to align and calibrate the beamforming process. The apparatus further includes a processor that processes these signals to determine the optimal beam direction and adjust the beamforming parameters accordingly. A key feature is the conversion indication, which specifies the relationship between the coarse and fine beam reference signals. This relationship can be defined as either an offset or a ratio in power between the two signals. The offset indicates a fixed difference in power levels, while the ratio represents a proportional relationship. This allows the system to dynamically adjust the beamforming process based on the signal characteristics, improving accuracy and efficiency in beam alignment. The apparatus may also include a memory for storing calibration data and a control unit for managing the beamforming operations. The system ensures robust communication by dynamically adapting to changes in the wireless environment, such as interference or signal attenuation, by continuously monitoring and adjusting the beamforming parameters. This invention enhances the performance of high-frequency wireless networks by providing precise and adaptive beamforming capabilities.
14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the conversion indication indicates a quasi-colocation (QCL) type with respect to an average resource element (RE) power of the coarse beam reference signal and the fine beam reference signal.
This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically improving beam management in millimeter-wave (mmWave) or other high-frequency networks. The problem addressed is the need for efficient and accurate beam tracking between a transmitter and receiver, where both coarse and fine beam reference signals are used to establish and maintain communication links. The challenge is ensuring proper synchronization and power calibration between these signals to avoid misalignment or performance degradation. The apparatus includes a transmitter configured to generate and transmit both coarse and fine beam reference signals. The coarse beam signal provides a broad coverage area, while the fine beam signal offers higher precision for data transmission. A conversion indication is used to establish a quasi-colocation (QCL) relationship between the two signals, meaning they share certain properties such as average resource element (RE) power. This ensures that the receiver can accurately interpret the fine beam signal based on the power characteristics of the coarse beam signal, improving beam alignment and reducing overhead. The apparatus may also include a receiver that processes the reference signals and applies the QCL relationship to adjust its beamforming parameters. By maintaining consistent power scaling between the signals, the system avoids misinterpretation of signal strength and improves overall link reliability. This approach is particularly useful in dynamic environments where beam directions may change frequently. The invention enhances beam management efficiency, reducing latency and improving data throughput in high-frequency wireless networks.
15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the coarse beam reference signal is a synchronization signal block (SSB), and the fine beam reference signal is a temporary reference signal transmitted at least during the cell activation process.
This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically improving beam alignment between a base station and a user device. The problem addressed is the need for efficient and accurate beam tracking to maintain reliable communication links in high-frequency millimeter-wave (mmWave) systems, where beam misalignment can lead to significant signal degradation. The apparatus includes a base station configured to transmit both coarse and fine beam reference signals to a user device. The coarse beam reference signal is a synchronization signal block (SSB), which is used for initial beam acquisition and synchronization. The SSB helps the user device identify the base station and establish a rough beam alignment. Following this, the fine beam reference signal, which is a temporary reference signal, is transmitted during the cell activation process to refine the beam alignment. This fine beam reference signal allows for precise adjustment of the beam direction, ensuring optimal signal quality and minimizing interference. The apparatus further includes a user device configured to receive these signals and adjust its beam direction accordingly. By using both coarse and fine beam reference signals, the system achieves rapid and accurate beam alignment, improving communication reliability in mmWave networks. The temporary nature of the fine beam reference signal ensures efficient resource utilization, as it is only transmitted when necessary during cell activation. This approach enhances overall system performance by reducing latency and improving data throughput.
16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the coarse beam reference signal is an SSB, and the fine beam reference signal is a tracking reference signal (TRS) or a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS).
This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically to apparatuses for beamforming in millimeter-wave (mmWave) or other high-frequency wireless networks. The problem addressed is the need for efficient beam alignment between a transmitter and receiver to overcome the challenges of high path loss and directional beamforming in such systems. The apparatus includes a transceiver configured to transmit and receive signals using directional beams. It generates a coarse beam reference signal, which is a synchronization signal block (SSB), to establish initial beam alignment between the transmitter and receiver. The SSB is used for cell search, synchronization, and coarse beam selection. After initial alignment, the apparatus transmits a fine beam reference signal, which can be either a tracking reference signal (TRS) or a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), to refine the beam direction and optimize signal quality. The fine beam reference signal allows for precise tracking of the best beam direction over time, compensating for environmental changes or device movement. The apparatus may also include a controller to manage beam selection and switching between the coarse and fine beam reference signals. The system dynamically adjusts beam directions based on feedback from the receiver, ensuring robust and high-quality communication links in high-frequency wireless networks. This approach improves beam alignment efficiency, reduces latency, and enhances overall system performance.
17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the coarse beam reference signal has a longer periodicity than the fine beam reference signal during the cell activation process.
This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically beamforming techniques for cell activation. The problem addressed is the need for efficient and accurate beam alignment between a base station and a user device during the cell activation process. Traditional methods often struggle with balancing the trade-off between signal acquisition time and beam resolution. The apparatus includes a base station configured to transmit both coarse and fine beam reference signals during cell activation. The coarse beam reference signal has a longer periodicity than the fine beam reference signal, allowing for broader initial beam coverage to quickly identify potential beam directions. Once a coarse beam direction is identified, the system switches to the fine beam reference signal, which has a shorter periodicity and higher resolution, enabling precise beam alignment. This two-stage approach optimizes the beam search process, reducing activation time while maintaining accuracy. The apparatus further includes a user device configured to receive and measure the reference signals, providing feedback to the base station to refine beam direction. The system dynamically adjusts the periodicity of the reference signals based on the activation stage, ensuring efficient resource utilization. This method improves beam alignment efficiency, particularly in high-mobility or dense network environments.
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August 14, 2020
April 9, 2024
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